Milwaukee Bucks: Jordan Nwora selected as likeliest breakout candidate

As he prepares for his second NBA season, Jordan Nwora is certainly an unknown enigma for the Milwaukee Bucks.

It seems like everyone has a varying opinion on the 23-year-old, with some beleiveing he should be a rotational player, while others stand firm in their belief that he should remain buried on the bench. One person who seemingly believes in the soon-to-be sophomore forward is Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, who picked Nwora as the likeliest breakout candidate for the Bucks during the upcoming 2021-22 season. Many might have picked Grayson Allen or Donte DiVincenzo once he returns from injury to be their breakout pick, but Nwora also poses an interesting case.

Why Jordan Nwora could have a breakout year with the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2021-22 season

As Swartz noted, the biggest roadblock Nwora faced in his rookie season with the Bucks was that his playing time was scarce due to Milwaukee’s veteran-driven roster. The forward will certainly not complain about winning a championship in his rookie season, but more playing time may have been more ideal for him. Nwora appeared in just 30 regular season games for an average of 9.1 minutes per contest, giving him little time to find his footing.

In the brief time that he did play, what stood out the most was Nwora’s electric shooting from the outside. Nwora shot 45.2 percent from 3-point range, and although it came in a small sample size, the potential is there for him to be a fantastic shooter at the NBA level. That potential is why the front office did not think twice about selecting him in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft. Although they did not utilize him much during his rookie season, he could be poised for a bigger role entering year two with the champs.

Of course, Nwora will have to earn that opportunity, and he faces a tall task in trying to prove his place in the rotation. It goes without saying that he will not be starting over Khris Middleton soon, which leaves him fighting among the others in the bench unit. Rodney Hood, who is a newcomer at the small forward position, seems to be Nwora’s biggest competitor for minutes. He will also have to battle with players like Thanasis Antetokounmpo and Pat Connaughton, putting him at an immediate disadvantage. Still, the forward has the tools to be a fantastic NBA player, he just has to show them consistently.

Many hoped that he would do this during the 2021 Summer League, but unfortunately, it did not go as planned. The forward often put up eye-catching numbers, but his efficiency was hellacious and his passing was non-existent. Those two factors, in addition to his defense, have been weak points for the 23-year-old, and he must improve them to take that next step. After an offseason to work, hopefully the forward has come to training camp with some improvement in his game.

If Nwora can indeed improve these areas, he stands a far greater chance at cracking the rotation next season with the Bucks. His shooting alone makes a great case, but it would be icing on the cake if he shows signs of better defense, passing, and consistency. With Bryn Forbes having left during free agency, the team will need someone to replicate the sharpshooting he brought to the table, and Nwora seems like an ideal candidate for the job.

Nwora certainly can be a breakout selection for the Bucks next season. The biggest question is whether or not he has earned the trust of head coach Mike Budenholzer to play consistently. Due to that shooting he possesses in his arsenal, Nwora does not have the potential to be just an NBA player, but a very good one. He just has to figure out how to piece it together, and at 23-years-old, he is still developing.

Keep an eye on Nwora this coming season as he potentially breaks out in the rotation.